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open up

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The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

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phrasal verb
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theyopen up
he/she/itopens up
present participleopening up
past tenseopened up
past participleopened up
Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

 
  1. 1
    [intransitive/transitive] to open a locked door, container, or building

    He opens up the shop every morning.

    Open up! This is the police!

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of open up
  2. 2
    [intransitive/transitive] to make it easier to travel or do business in a country

    The building of canals opened up the interior of the country.

    open up to:

    China is opening up to foreign investment.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of open up
  3. 3
    [intransitive/transitive] to create a new opportunity or possibility

    Going freelance opens up all sorts of possibilities to you.

    New markets are opening up every day.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of open up
  4. 4
    [intransitive/transitive] to create a difference between the people or groups involved in something

    The issue of Europe has opened up deep divisions within the party.

    United have opened up a 6-point lead over their nearest rivals.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of open up
  5. 5
    [intransitive] to talk more about your personal feelings and experiences
    open up to:

    It's taken a few months, but Katy is finally starting to open up to me.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of open up
  6. 6
    [intransitive/transitive] if a discussion opens up, or if you open it up, it becomes more general or starts to include more subjects

    I think we need to open up the discussion and ask members of the audience for their opinions.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of open up
  7. 7
    [intransitive] to start shooting a gun

    He opened up on the crowd with an automatic rifle.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of open up
  8. 8
    [transitive] open someone up informal to cut into someone's body for medical reasons

    When they opened her up they found a huge tumour.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of open up
  9. 9
    [intransitive/transitive] same as open2 (sense 5)

    Donald wants to retire and open up a bookshop.

    New cinemas are starting to open up.

  10. 10
    [intransitive/transitive] if something opens up, or if you open it up, it opens from a folded position so that you can see its shape

    The rose buds are beginning to open up.

    She opened her umbrella up at the first drops of rain.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of open up

This is the British English definition of open up. View American English definition of open up.

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